Overview
- The Nationals have formally abandoned the 2050 net‑zero commitment and are advocating targets pegged to the OECD average pace of emissions cuts.
- Senior Liberals on the right are urging the party to drop the target, while moderates warn of electoral damage in urban and younger electorates and some are canvassing a split if no compromise is reached.
- A special Liberal party room meeting is planned within weeks, with Dan Tehan telling colleagues his energy and climate review will be completed imminently before a position is taken to the full party room.
- Multiple reports citing Liberal sources indicate scrapping net zero is now the likely outcome to preserve Sussan Ley’s leadership in the short term, though detractors expect a challenge early next year.
- David Littleproud says his party’s stance does not pressure Ley, as external voices including the Business Council of Australia and the National Farmers’ Federation diverge from the Nationals’ position.